Nigerians can now obtain certain affidavits from the Federal High Court without visiting court premises, thanks to the judiciary’s Electronic Court Management System (ECMS) e-Affidavit Portal.
The platform allows applicants to complete the process online, from registration and document submission to payment and downloading their affidavits.
Introduced under Practice Directions issued on June 7, 2024, the e-Affidavit system became operational on July 1, 2024. It provides an alternative to the traditional manual process rather than replacing it.
But how can you obtain a Federal High Court affidavit online, what documents do you need, and how much does it cost?
What Types of Affidavits Can You Obtain Online?
The portal covers several purposes, including:
– Change of name
– Correction of date of birth
– Loss of documents
– Change of signature
– Declaration of next of kin
– Marriage-related matters
– Banking transactions
– General-purpose affidavits
– Institutional requirements
How to Get a Federal High Court Affidavit Online in Nine Steps
1. Create an account: Visit portal.fhc.gov.ng and register with your full name, phone number, date of birth, email address and password. Ensure your name is entered correctly, as it will appear on the affidavit.
2. Complete your profile:Â Provide your native town, residential address, occupation, National Identification Number (NIN), country and state of origin, gender, religion and date of birth. You must also upload a passport photograph and valid identification.
3. Select the affidavit type: Choose the category that matches your purpose, such as change of name, date of birth, loss and incidents, marriage, banking, general purpose or institutional.
4. Fill out the application form: Provide the information required for your selected affidavit. For a date-of-birth correction, for instance, you must state the incorrect date, the correct date and the reason for the change. You will also provide your email address, phone number and preferred Federal High Court division.
5. Upload your documents: Submit a recent passport photograph, valid identification and your signature, which can be uploaded or drawn on the platform. Accepted identification documents include NIN, international passport, driver’s licence and voter’s card. Each uploaded file must not exceed 300KB.
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6. Review your application: Carefully check your personal details, identification information and selected court division before proceeding. The portal states that payments are final, non-refundable and non-transferable.
7. Accept the terms and submit: Agree to the portal’s terms and conditions and consent to the processing of your personal information under the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
8. Make payment: Pay through the available online channels, including Paystack and Remita. The stated application fee is ₦1,797, although charges may vary depending on the service or changes to the fee schedule.
9. Download your affidavit: After payment and processing, your affidavit will be available for download on the portal. A copy will also be sent to your registered email address.
Important Rules Applicants Should Know
There are deadlines applicants must observe to avoid losing their applications and payments.
– 72-hour deadline: If the court queries your application, you have 72 hours to respond.
– Automatic deletion: Failure to make payment or respond to a query within the stipulated period may result in the application being deleted without a refund or further notice. You may have to start again and pay another application fee.
How to Verify Your Online Affidavit
Every electronic affidavit carries a unique barcode and reference number for verification.
According to the court’s FAQ, the documents are digitally signed, stamped and issued electronically with a QR code.
These features allow banks, schools, employers and other institutions to verify their authenticity through the court’s system.
Is an Online Federal High Court Affidavit Legally Valid?
The electronic affidavit system operates under the Federal High Court’s Practice Directions and provides an official alternative to manually sworn affidavits.
However, the court warns that falsifying, altering or misusing an affidavit is a criminal offence. Making a false statement under oath may also amount to perjury.
Applicants should therefore ensure that all information supplied is accurate and truthful.
What to Check Before Applying
Although the Federal High Court issues the electronic affidavits, their acceptance depends on the institution requesting them.
Banks, pension administrators, immigration authorities, schools and government agencies may have different requirements. Confirm that the receiving organisation accepts electronic Federal High Court affidavits before paying for one.
Also note that proceedings before state High Courts and tribunals are governed by the rules of those courts and tribunals, not automatically covered by the Federal High Court’s e-Affidavit system.